Switch



Aug. 23, 1932. H. E. NoRvlEl.

SWITCH Filed 001,. 8. 1930 INVENTOR Hdr' El Nar wel.

j@ ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITEDSTATES gPrfrlazNT OFFICE HARRYE. NoavrEL, or ANDERSON, INDIANA, AssmNoa To Demo-REMY coaPoRA- vTIoN,or ANDERSON, INDIANA. A 'CORPORATION or DELAWARE Application led October8, 1930. Serial No. 487,201.

This invention relates to circuit closers or electrical switches of the,conductive vfluid type, and `has for one ofits objects-tof. rotect thefragile shell containing thecon uctive iuid against undue breakageA dueto rough usage. Y w

Itis a further object of the invention to provide a support andenclosure for the fragile capsule of mercury type switch, that '3.3,will insure the sameA againstbreakage and eliminate corrosion of theelectrical connections therewith.

A further object of the invent-ion is to improve the actuating supportof the circuit 1 closing unit of a Vconductive fluidA circuit closer. y

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had 2g toV theaccompanyingdrawing wherein a preferred embodimenty of one form of thepresent invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing: l f Fig. 1 is a view in elevation, illustrating a theimproved circuit closer device as mounted upon an actuating structure,andy how it may be inserted in an electrical circuit, such as a signalcircuit of an automotive vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe improved circuit closer.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the circuit closing unit,substantially as indicated by the line and arrows '3-3 of Fig. 2

Fi 4 is an end elevation of the unit, substantially as indicated yby`the arrow 4 of Fig, 2. .n L

Fig. v5 is a longitudinal. section, through the unit substantially asindicated by the line and arrows 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a v,transverse sectional view through the unit, substantiallyas indicated by the line and arrows 6-7-6 of Fig. 2.

With particular reference to the drawing, 20 represents a cross rodor'shaft of an automotive vehicle, andy which forms a pivotal supportfor a foot pedal 21, having a lug 22 operatively connected to a brakerod or other reciprocating member 23 through a 50 pivot 24 makingconnection withy a yoke 25.

rclamp stud 28, all as is well known Aand usual Vin the art. The member26 provides a table portion 3() with extensions 3l and 32 that act asstops for the pedal 21 and for a switch device respectively, as willpresently appear. To the vtable portion of the member 26 is attached aswitch bracket 33 that has parallel lextending arms 34 and 35 carrying apivot pin 36 that forms a pivotalsupport for an oscillating circuitclosing device 50. The arm 34 of the bracket is extended beyond the varm35 to provide a bearing for a pin 37 drivinglyfconnected to a segmentalgear 38 havingv interfitting engagement with a piniony 39 provided bythecircuit closing ydevice. The segment 38 is to be actuated by thereciprocation of the rod 23 through the agency of a clamp collar 40carried by the said rod.

The details of the switch kdevice are il*- lustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 6on an enlarged scale, and include an inverted U-shaped actuating member51, the parallel arms of which are apertured at 52 for `dispositionabout the pivot pin 36, andto the bridge 53 of which is secured asupport or protective shell 54 housing a conductive fluid circuitclosing unit 55. In the preferred form, and that illustrated, theprotective member exists in a molded bakelite shell providingacylindrical passage 56 for the housing of the capsule 55, and asubstantially tangential flange 57 by which the protectory is secured tothe bridge 53 of the actuator by rivets or similar devices 58,.

Thesupport or protector 54 is designedv to yinsure the fragile capsuleagainst accidental breakage, yandr therefore provides the bore'orpassage 56r for the disposition of the capsule 55, and further providesmeans for closing each end of the passage as in the ears 6() of clips61. The clips 61 are carried by the flange 57 of the protector by therivets 62 through angular extensions 63 and the said `flangesubstantially as indicated in Fig. 3.

The disposition of the closure portions of these clips is illustrated inFig. 5 where it will be seen that the rigid conductive elements 65 ofthe mercury capsule 55 are each passed through the portion 6() at 66 andthence electrically connected to the clip 61 by solder or otherwise asindicated at 67. Connection with leads 68 and 69 of wires 7 O and 71 ofa signal circuit, is conveniently made by reason of terminal portions 72and 7 3 carrying the connector screws 74. To insure rigidity of supportand to further protect the fragile element against breakage, cotton orother iibrous material 75 may be packed against each end of the capsule55 within the passage 56 so as to be compressed by the portion 60 whenthe clips 61 are secured to the protector.

The unitl thus constructed and mounted upon the actuating structure asillustrated in Fig. 1, is readily adaptable to be inserted in a signalcircuit as illustrated where the conductor 70 is attached to a source ofenergy as a battery 76 grounded at 77, and the conductor 7l iselectrically connected with a. signal device 78 which in turn isgrounded at 79. Fig. 1 illustrates the association of the parts in acircuit open position and it will be readily seen from this, that whenthe pedal 51 is moved away from the stop 31 so as to allow movement ofthe rod 23 toward the left hand of the figure, the circuit closingdevice 50 will be actuated to a position of reverse inclination throughthe agency of the segments 38 and 39, that allow the device to oscillateabout the pivot 3G by reason of the spring 41 wrapped about the pivot86, until the carriage engages the stop 32. The ends of the spring 41engage the switch bracket 33 and the actuating member 51 and urge thelatter in a counter-clockwise direction of rotation that causes if: tofollow up the retrograde movement of the rod 23. iVhen thus actuated thereverse inclination of the capsule 55 will cause the conductive fluid 80to flow to the other end of the glasscontainer and bridge the gapbetween the rigid conductive elements 65, thus completing a circuitthrough the elements heretofore set out and causing a signal indicia tobe manifest at the device 78.

As so positioned upon an automotive vehicle, the circuit closing device50 is subjected to rather rough usage and is exposed to stones, sticks,water, mud and other foreign elements, that may be thrown against thesame which sooner or later would result in breakage of the fragileelement 55 if it isnot adequately protected, or which would cause acorrosion of conducting elements, and all of which tend to deprive theunit of its eiciency and operation. By the structure that applicant hasprovided, the fragile element 55 is enclosed within a protective shellthat insures the capsule against accidental breakage, and mak-es for theexclusion of water and other elements that might cause corrosion of theparts, thus effecting the longevity of the structure as a whole.

lVhile the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

lVhat is claimed is as follows:

1. A circuit closer of the class described, comprising in combination,an oscillatable bracket, a protector of dielectric material secured tothe bracket and providing a capsule receiving passage, terminal clipssecured to the protector,veach of said clips providing a closure for thepassage and a conductive fluid circuit closer within the passage havingelectrical connection with each of said clips and means disposed betweenthe closer member and clips securing the closer against movementrelative to the protector.

2. A circuit closer of the class described, comprising in combination anactuating bracket, a protective shell enclosing a circuit closer of theconductive fluid t pe, said protector being of housed cylindrical formand providing a substantially tangential flange by which it is securedto the bracket, circuit closing means disposed in the shell, andterminal means secured to the flange 'of said shell and providing acloser for each end of the cylinder.

3. In a. circuit closer of the class described, having a fragileconductive fluid circuit closer, the combination comprising, an actuatorfor oscillating said circuit closer, a protective shell carried by theactuator and en closing said circuit closer, said shell carryingterminal members having portions completing the enclosure of saidcircuit closer, and means yieldingly engaging the circuit closer andeach of said portions of the terminal members.

4. A switch device comprising, a tiltable operated conductive fluidcircuit closer, said circuit closer having leads extending through eachend thereof, a protective housing having a passage for receiving saidcircuit closer, terminals insulatingly supported by said housing, saidterminals having ears adjacent each end of said passage for holding saidcircuit closer within said passage, said ears being connectedelectrically to said leads, and yieldable means supporting said circuitcloser within said housing, said yieldable means being retained in saidhousing by said ears to insure said circuit closer against movementrelative to said housing.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signat-ure.

HARRY E. NORVIEL.

